About Savaii
Beaches
The beaches are pristine white sand and the lagoons a sparkling blue. Sunbath, swim, snorkel, walk, watch the sunset; Savaii is a beach lover's dream. Outside of resorts, check with the village if you can swim (there may be a small charge) and while bikinis and bathing suits are absolutely fine in resorts, in villages wear shorts and a tee shirt for swimming. Topless (for women) and nude swimming is illegal in Samoa and would be seen by locals as offensive.
The beaches are pristine white sand and the lagoons a sparkling blue. Sunbath, swim, snorkel, walk, watch the sunset; Savaii is a beach lover's dream. Outside of resorts, check with the village if you can swim (there may be a small charge) and while bikinis and bathing suits are absolutely fine in resorts, in villages wear shorts and a tee shirt for swimming. Topless (for women) and nude swimming is illegal in Samoa and would be seen by locals as offensive.
Weather
Savaii enjoys a hot sunny climate all year round. Day time temperatures are normally 28-32° Celsius and a little cooler at night. From December to February, the air is more humid and rainfall is higher. The beautiful lush vegetation would not exist without the odd tropical downpour. Most are very localised, last less than an hour or two and often fall at night. Click here for more information on Savaii's weather.
Savaii enjoys a hot sunny climate all year round. Day time temperatures are normally 28-32° Celsius and a little cooler at night. From December to February, the air is more humid and rainfall is higher. The beautiful lush vegetation would not exist without the odd tropical downpour. Most are very localised, last less than an hour or two and often fall at night. Click here for more information on Savaii's weather.
Food
Samoans love their food and the gorgeous cookbook Mea'ai Samoa by Robert Oliver has recently won the Gourmand Award for Best TV Chef Cookbook In The World 2013. A number of delicious recipes from Savaii resorts are included in this. Most resorts & hotels use many local ingredients and serve a mix of traditional and modern Samoan dishes along with international favourites. Visitors wishing to enjoy delicious local fare should look out for:
Fish – yellow fin tuna, masi-masi (mahi-mahi), wahoo, crayfish. Sashimi is very popular here, but also try oka (raw fish in coconut milk) and poke (a Hawaiian fish dish popular in Savaii).
Fruit – papaya, bananas, coconut, pineapple, mango, oranges, watermelons, lemons & limes, sour-sop and much more.
Vegetables - taro, breadfruit, palusami (a delicious creamy dish of young taro leaves cooked in coconut), basil, mint, cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants, spider beans, watercress; all beautiful and fresh from the plantations.
Cold Drinks – try a tropical cocktail, a niu (cold young coconut) or a fresh smoothy. There are several local beers which are all good and a selection of wine and cocktails are available in most resorts. Niu (young coconut) water is excellent for rehydration and a great local alternative to performance drinks, without the sugar!
Hot Beverages – Samoa grows renowned coffee and cocoa (koko). In Samoa, ground coffee (referred to as CCK or Samoan Coffee) is traditionally served in a tea-pot; try it at your resort or koko along with the refreshing lemon tea. Samoan coffee and koko make a good souvenir to take home.
Samoans love their food and the gorgeous cookbook Mea'ai Samoa by Robert Oliver has recently won the Gourmand Award for Best TV Chef Cookbook In The World 2013. A number of delicious recipes from Savaii resorts are included in this. Most resorts & hotels use many local ingredients and serve a mix of traditional and modern Samoan dishes along with international favourites. Visitors wishing to enjoy delicious local fare should look out for:
Fish – yellow fin tuna, masi-masi (mahi-mahi), wahoo, crayfish. Sashimi is very popular here, but also try oka (raw fish in coconut milk) and poke (a Hawaiian fish dish popular in Savaii).
Fruit – papaya, bananas, coconut, pineapple, mango, oranges, watermelons, lemons & limes, sour-sop and much more.
Vegetables - taro, breadfruit, palusami (a delicious creamy dish of young taro leaves cooked in coconut), basil, mint, cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants, spider beans, watercress; all beautiful and fresh from the plantations.
Cold Drinks – try a tropical cocktail, a niu (cold young coconut) or a fresh smoothy. There are several local beers which are all good and a selection of wine and cocktails are available in most resorts. Niu (young coconut) water is excellent for rehydration and a great local alternative to performance drinks, without the sugar!
Hot Beverages – Samoa grows renowned coffee and cocoa (koko). In Samoa, ground coffee (referred to as CCK or Samoan Coffee) is traditionally served in a tea-pot; try it at your resort or koko along with the refreshing lemon tea. Samoan coffee and koko make a good souvenir to take home.
Dress
Samoa is hot year round so bring light summer clothing. If you wish to attend church, both men and women should cover their shoulders and knees (a lavalava and tidy shirt are fine). Swim suits and bikinis are absolutely fine at resorts but in town or the villages, cover up with a shirt, shorts, skirt or lavalava.
Samoa is hot year round so bring light summer clothing. If you wish to attend church, both men and women should cover their shoulders and knees (a lavalava and tidy shirt are fine). Swim suits and bikinis are absolutely fine at resorts but in town or the villages, cover up with a shirt, shorts, skirt or lavalava.
Fa’asamoa - Samoan Culture
Traditional Samoan culture is very much at the heart of life in Savaii and as a visitor you will have the opportunity to experience this. Aiga (extended family), church and the matai (village chiefs) are central to Samoan culture and everyday life. Visitors will find people from Savaii friendly and hospitable and they can show respect for the local culture with a few simple guidelines.
- In a fale, remove your shoes and sit down as soon as possible, particularly when elders are present and avoid pointing your feet at anyone (tuck your lavalava or a mat over them if you are uncomfortable with your feet tucked under you, yoga style)
- Avoid walking or biking through villages during the sunset curfew (it lasts 20-30 minutes)
- Ask permission before taking photos in a village.
- Please don't give money to children, even if they ask.
Traditional Samoan culture is very much at the heart of life in Savaii and as a visitor you will have the opportunity to experience this. Aiga (extended family), church and the matai (village chiefs) are central to Samoan culture and everyday life. Visitors will find people from Savaii friendly and hospitable and they can show respect for the local culture with a few simple guidelines.
- In a fale, remove your shoes and sit down as soon as possible, particularly when elders are present and avoid pointing your feet at anyone (tuck your lavalava or a mat over them if you are uncomfortable with your feet tucked under you, yoga style)
- Avoid walking or biking through villages during the sunset curfew (it lasts 20-30 minutes)
- Ask permission before taking photos in a village.
- Please don't give money to children, even if they ask.
Sundays
Sunday is a day of rest, prayer and eating in Savaii. Visitors are welcome in local churches and a Sunday service in Samoa is a great experience. If you are invited to a family toana'ai (Sunday lunch after church) don't eat too much breakfast - it will be a feast! Resorts operate as normal on Sundays but many tourist attractions and activities are closed so it is a good day to chill out at your resort. If you are on a biking holiday, it is fine to bike on Sundays.
Sunday is a day of rest, prayer and eating in Savaii. Visitors are welcome in local churches and a Sunday service in Samoa is a great experience. If you are invited to a family toana'ai (Sunday lunch after church) don't eat too much breakfast - it will be a feast! Resorts operate as normal on Sundays but many tourist attractions and activities are closed so it is a good day to chill out at your resort. If you are on a biking holiday, it is fine to bike on Sundays.
Money Banks & ATMs
Outside of resorts, Samoa operates largely on a cash basis. Buses, taxis and most shops accept only cash. When you arrive in Samoa, there are Westpac and ANZ ATMs at the airport. These are also the closest ATMs to the Mulifanua Wharf.
Credit Cards - Many resorts accept visa and mastercard; surcharges normally apply. Most
beach fales only accept cash. Credit cards are not widely accepted outside of resorts.
ATMs – ATMs which accept most international EFTPOS cards operate 24x7 and are located in Salelologa (ANZ & Westpac) and at Manase (ANZ).
Banks - Bank branches are located at Salelologa (ANZ & Westpac). Bank hours are typically Mon-Fri 9am-3pm (although some may be open till 3.30pm)
Outside of resorts, Samoa operates largely on a cash basis. Buses, taxis and most shops accept only cash. When you arrive in Samoa, there are Westpac and ANZ ATMs at the airport. These are also the closest ATMs to the Mulifanua Wharf.
Credit Cards - Many resorts accept visa and mastercard; surcharges normally apply. Most
beach fales only accept cash. Credit cards are not widely accepted outside of resorts.
ATMs – ATMs which accept most international EFTPOS cards operate 24x7 and are located in Salelologa (ANZ & Westpac) and at Manase (ANZ).
Banks - Bank branches are located at Salelologa (ANZ & Westpac). Bank hours are typically Mon-Fri 9am-3pm (although some may be open till 3.30pm)
Communications
Most of Savaii has mobile phone and internet coverage. Wifi internet is an emerging technology in Samoa and coverage can be patchy, slow and inconsistent, however this is changing rapidly and no doubt this section will be out of date the minute it is published! Internet and phone is also considerably more expensive than in most developed countries. Suppliers are Digicel or BlueSky. Digicel seems to have the widest coverage within Savaii.
Mobile Phone/Voice: pick up a local SIM card at the airport on arrival (the Digicel booth is open for all flights), or in Savaii at Digicel booths at the wharf, market or the larger store opposite the Salelologa Market. For BlueSky, SIM cards can be purchased from their store at the Salelologa Market. Pre-paid credit for voice is available at these stores and also numerous other small locations around the island.
Mobile Data: purchase pre-paid data credit ONLY at the airport or the Digicel store opposite the Salelologa market. While other outlets will happily sell you credit, it will not be properly loaded and you may not be able to use it. These 2 stores are also the only ones where you can purchase a mini-SIM card.
Casual Wifi: Internet access is also available using pre-paid vouchers or dongles. BlueSky sell dongles from their stores. Pre-paid internet vouchers for Lavaspot are available from the Tourist Information Centre and at a number of hotels. The Tourist Information Centre operates a Lavaspot zone.
Internet Cafes & Services – If you don't have your own devise to get connected, CSL or Tisaan in Salelologa or Jane’s Beach Fales, Manase.
Calling codes – International calling code for Samoa is +685. International codes for calls from Samoa are New Zealand 064, Australia 061, USA 01
Most of Savaii has mobile phone and internet coverage. Wifi internet is an emerging technology in Samoa and coverage can be patchy, slow and inconsistent, however this is changing rapidly and no doubt this section will be out of date the minute it is published! Internet and phone is also considerably more expensive than in most developed countries. Suppliers are Digicel or BlueSky. Digicel seems to have the widest coverage within Savaii.
Mobile Phone/Voice: pick up a local SIM card at the airport on arrival (the Digicel booth is open for all flights), or in Savaii at Digicel booths at the wharf, market or the larger store opposite the Salelologa Market. For BlueSky, SIM cards can be purchased from their store at the Salelologa Market. Pre-paid credit for voice is available at these stores and also numerous other small locations around the island.
Mobile Data: purchase pre-paid data credit ONLY at the airport or the Digicel store opposite the Salelologa market. While other outlets will happily sell you credit, it will not be properly loaded and you may not be able to use it. These 2 stores are also the only ones where you can purchase a mini-SIM card.
Casual Wifi: Internet access is also available using pre-paid vouchers or dongles. BlueSky sell dongles from their stores. Pre-paid internet vouchers for Lavaspot are available from the Tourist Information Centre and at a number of hotels. The Tourist Information Centre operates a Lavaspot zone.
Internet Cafes & Services – If you don't have your own devise to get connected, CSL or Tisaan in Salelologa or Jane’s Beach Fales, Manase.
Calling codes – International calling code for Samoa is +685. International codes for calls from Samoa are New Zealand 064, Australia 061, USA 01
Health & Safety
Samoa is generally a very safe destination. Visitors should take the same common sense precautions they would take at home; look after your valuables, lock your car, don't go places or do things you wouldn't at home.
Drinking Water - Samoa is hot and visitors should drink plenty of water. Drink bottled water which is readily available at shops and resorts.
Cuts & Scrapes – Cuts and scrapes can take longer to heal in tropical climates than at home. Clean cuts and scrapes very well, keep them clean and covered and seek medical advice if they are not healing as rapidly as usual after a few days or appear to be infected.
Hospitals, Clinics & Pharmacies – The main Hospital is at Tuisivi (about 15km north of Salelologa). HAs 24 hr drs available, and a pharmacy, inpatient ward, basic laboratory facilities as well as basic radiology. Most Emergency cases are transferred to the mainland (Upolu) and no specialist services are available in Savaii at all.
District Hospital Clinics are at Safotu, Sataua and Foailalo- these hospitals are manned by nurses and only have a doctor attending once a week.
Aiga Manuia Medical Centre & Pharmacy (equivalent to a GP clinic) with English speaking staff is at Lalomalava and is the only GP clinics on the island- appointments are a must . Ph 8451203. hours are 9am-4pm Monday to Friday only
There is a pharmacy also on the main street in Salelologa.
Samoa is generally a very safe destination. Visitors should take the same common sense precautions they would take at home; look after your valuables, lock your car, don't go places or do things you wouldn't at home.
Drinking Water - Samoa is hot and visitors should drink plenty of water. Drink bottled water which is readily available at shops and resorts.
Cuts & Scrapes – Cuts and scrapes can take longer to heal in tropical climates than at home. Clean cuts and scrapes very well, keep them clean and covered and seek medical advice if they are not healing as rapidly as usual after a few days or appear to be infected.
Hospitals, Clinics & Pharmacies – The main Hospital is at Tuisivi (about 15km north of Salelologa). HAs 24 hr drs available, and a pharmacy, inpatient ward, basic laboratory facilities as well as basic radiology. Most Emergency cases are transferred to the mainland (Upolu) and no specialist services are available in Savaii at all.
District Hospital Clinics are at Safotu, Sataua and Foailalo- these hospitals are manned by nurses and only have a doctor attending once a week.
Aiga Manuia Medical Centre & Pharmacy (equivalent to a GP clinic) with English speaking staff is at Lalomalava and is the only GP clinics on the island- appointments are a must . Ph 8451203. hours are 9am-4pm Monday to Friday only
There is a pharmacy also on the main street in Salelologa.